519 December 2018

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This new tour is with a symphony. That’s not an easy undertaking. How did this come about? Who is it that said, nothing that’s worthwhile is ever easy? I have found that all the greatest things have come with tremendous effort, time and commitment. That’s kind of the story of my life. I was signed when I was 16 but then didn’t have a hit until I was 34. And I will tell you those 18 years were nothing but struggle and at times very scary. But you have to believe in yourself and dream bigger than your dreams. I had a few opportunities to perform live with a symphony orchestra and there is something about that feeling on stage of just a wave of musical instruments all filling the air with different sounds that play together. It was a dream of mine to have my own Greatest Hits recorded with a live symphony orchestra and it took many years to find the right window of time. Now coming up on my 50th anniversary in the music industry seemed like that. How hard was it to adapt some of the songs into a symphony arrangement? It’s definitely challenging because you want to stay true to the original composition that people have known and sung along to for decades. You don’t want to create something so far off the familiar melody that sets people off humming or singing along. You just want to enhance and embellish and find moments in the song where you can highlight certain instruments. There is definitely an art form to it all. Is the symphony adaption harder than arranging for albums like Sinatra, Hitsville USA or your latest - Songs of Cinema? There are different challenges when working with a symphony orchestra as compared to a big band, which is what we used for my Swings Sinatra album, or the rhythm and blues players on the Hitsville album or the various arrangements across all the genres of music on Songs of Cinema. The key is to bring out the best in the players and let them do their thing while you direct them along the path. As a singer I might take certain liberties in interpreting a song that vary from the original but I’m always guided by the central intention and message and it’s the same for the players, they’re just working from different instruments. As a multifaceted artist, being backed by a symphony must be a unique feeling – that’s a big sound behind you. What does that feel like on stage? It’s really indescribable, it’s almost mesmerizing. It is probably my favorite thing. You seem to enjoy having a theme to your albums in the last decade. Did they start out that way or just develop as you dove into them? That’s a good observation actually that I haven’t really been asked about before. Yes I do apparently like themes. I think all of my albums have been thematic, just like any individual song has a theme. It’s a short story really, with a central message. The first really successful albums I had with Soul Provider and Time Love and Tenderness had a theme to them, just that they were all new songs at the time. Now they are in 65 million homes all over the world which is just amazing and allows me to tour every country where sometimes English isn’t the first language but people are singing my songs. Album themes are really just ways of organizing the stories. So the last album told the story of my love of movies. Before that it was my love of the music that came out of Detroit. Before that it was my love of collaborations with Gems, the duet collection. Do you think the symphony tour might become an album? You must have a crystal ball. Another aspect of your show here in Windsor is the holidays. Your musical love of the holidays can at least be dated back to This Is The Time: The Christmas Album in 1996. In my family we weren’t raised religious but the holidays - whatever that may mean to you personally - is always a time of reflection for me and it can be a nostalgic time. Lately it’s been a really special time because I get to spend it with my three daughters and their children so there’s all this great, playful energy around. I really look forward to it. You really surprised a lot of people when Big, Sexy Valentine’s Day Special came out on Netflix. That was one of the first times many got to see your funny side – and it was so funny. It was so unlike the image everyone typically sees of you. I guess my best kept secret is that my whole life I have actually been the class clown. My family and friends know this about me. But during that long 18 year climb to try and find success in the industry, I got very fixated and committed to my career and then when I finally had success I was determined to never go back. So I guess people perceived that as serious. But the funny side has always been there. I am always trying to find a comedic way to spin any situation and really I’m still a kid at heart. That’s why I get along so well with Andy, Jorma and Akiva because they love to have fun but they are super focused on their careers as well. So the Netflix special was just a lot of laughs while getting the work done and you’re always just amazed and grateful that this is your job. Although the Valentine’s Special was a biggie, you surprised a lot of people with Jack Sparrow with The Lonely Island. Did you ever think that was going to catch on? I mean, OMG, here’s Michael Bolton swearing for the first time and splashing himself with cocaine! OMG is right and that was not real cocaine!!! And the only way I could agree to that scene was by being in character because you see, it’s Tony Montana not Michael Bolton. But really “Jack Sparrow” was a game changer for me. It finally showed the world that I do love comedy and being in on the joke and that I’m game to play. Working with The Lonely Island was key to the success of that project because they are not only hilarious and talented but they are perfectionists. Now we are at nearly 200 Million views on YouTube and it’s a video that literally has gone viral the world over, including into China where little kids just know me as Jack Sparrow. Will we get to see more of the humorous side in the future? I am constantly in development on a handful of ideas for TV, film, digital media. I’ve done some really fun cameos on shows like Two and a Half Men, Glee, Fresh off the Boat, and it just makes me want to do more. I’ve been fan since Fool’s Game and Everybody’s Crazy. In fact, Everybody’s Crazy was one of the hardest CDs I’ve ever had to find when I started to replace albums with CDs - but I still enjoy listening to it. Do you pull out any of that older material now and then? Wow, what a great question. I don’t really but now I think I’m going to revisit some of it, if I can find one! What happens is I’m always looking forward, to what is next, which means I am always wrapping my head around a new theme or a new body of music and so I’m immersing myself in that new project. But it could be nice to revisit some of the early material. 9
British Beat 66 - Perfoming Music From an Era When Music Mattered Photo by Kirk Harris (K&M Photography) Windsor British Invasion show band British Beat 66 is a unit that formed in 2004 to celebrate the sounds of a musical era that changed the face of rock and pop forever. Band members Michael Hereford (Michael Chester), John Labadie (Johnny Bo), Dino Urbano (Derek Domino), Lawrence Culnan (Larry C) and Matthew Damm (Matthew David) perform favourites from legacy bands like The Rolling Stones, The Beatles, Herman’s Hermits and others from the era. The band makes a return performance at Caesars Windsor on Thursday, Dec. 6. We interviewed the band to see what they’re all about. They were so excited that they offered to pose nude for a new feature in <strong>519</strong> where users can use a pencil eraser to remove their clothing from the photo. Can you tell me about British Beat 66 and how you met? Michael - I went to high school with John and we have performed together off and on since then. I have known Larry for years and have played with him in different projects over the years. I met Dino when he assisted with one of our early shows and I met Matthew recently through mutual musical friends. Why did you choose to play music from that era? Michael - It is the music I love and grew up with. I identify with the sights and sounds of that era. I love all music By Dan Savoie and I perform and listen to a wide variety, however, this is the music I enjoy the most. Larry - Growing up in that era was amazing. Starting with early North American Rock and Roll and then entering into the British invasion. It was a creative time and that’s what started me with being a musician. Now I get to play the influences of that era. How authentic do you strive to be with the music? Michael - We attempt to capture the spirit & feeling of this music. We enjoy putting our own spin on the tunes. What is it about the music of that era that appeals to you and your audience? Michael - It’s fun energetic music. Our audience loves to dance & at times sing along with us at our shows. If there was one band that closely resembles who you guys are, who would that be and how do you compare? Michael - That’s a tough one. If anything, I would say a combination of several 60s British Invasion bands, most particularly The Rolling Stones, The Who and The Beatles. Our own personalities come through when we are performing. Have any of you seen any of the British Beat 66 Cosmos Lounge Caesars Windsor Dec. 6 artists you play live? Michael - The British Invasion bands? I never saw The Beatles, however I have seen Ringo Starr & Paul McCartney in concert. I have seen the Rolling Stones twice, Herman’s Hermits (with whom I did a show before there was British Beat 66) and I also saw The Zombies, The Yardbirds, Steve Winwood (Spencer Davis Group). Larry - The Rolling Stones, Rod Stewart and the Small Faces, Procol Harum , Pink Floyd. You guys had the chance to perform with a Rock and Roll Hall of Famer- Jim McCarty, the legendary drummer of The Yardbirds. What an honour that would have been. Please tell me about the experience. Michael - When I first heard about it I was almost worried to say anything in case it didn’t happen. I’m sure glad it happened Jim has performed with Eric Clapton, Jeff Beck and Jimmy Page for a large part of his career, so I knew we needed to give the Yardbirds tunes proper justice. Jim is such an amazing drummer. He showcases some very creative beats and drum breaks in those Yardbirds tunes. Larry - Yes they were. Such a list of great guitarist came through the band. They were part of the era that brought you the information and opinions of what was going on in the world at that time. That was such a privilege for Windsor to have a legend like that in town. He was such a down to earth guy too. That concert kind of puts you in the Windsor history books as one of the few Hall of Famers to ever come to town. What are your thoughts on the Windsor music scene? Michael - The Windsor scene is full of talented performers and some pretty cool venues and owners. I am excited to see some of the younger bands and performers starting to make in roads and seeing success. Matthew - One thing I can say about the Windsor music scene it the incredible support the musician give to each other, they are known to inspire, encourage, and help each other out far above the call, Windsor is a true great experience to be a professional musician in. Is there something you’d love to see improve in the Windsor music scene? Michael - It’s good to see many of the venues have local entertainment starting earlier in the evening. I enjoy diversity in music that often corresponds to my mood, so I would like to see meaningful work for all styles of music. I miss having a listing of who is playing where. Now it’s a matter of checking each venue’s listing. Larry - Yes, more venues and a variety of music to be witnessed live. More support for the different bands who are putting their own music out. There is definitely a lot of great talent here. The problem we have is the shrinking live venues. Rooms are smaller and crowds are different from 30 and 40 years ago. So with the help of Facebook and local papers like yours, it helps to give the area an idea of the entertainment available and where you can see them live. Are there any other highlights of the band’s career so far? I know you guys play Caesars for example. Michael and Larry - British Beat 66 has had several memorable appearances at Caesars Windsor. Our performance at the Grand Prix on Belle Isle courtesy of Motor City Casino was another highlight. Our trip to Montebello, Quebec where we were treated wonderfully by our host was another. Also, Put-in-Bay Ohio, Caribbean Blue & Friends III were special to us. I am truly blessed with the people I have met in the music world and the wonderful venues where I had the privilege of performing. Is there a desire or want to write and record original music as a group or solo? Michael - British Beat 66 has been working on some original material including “Mop Top Madness” & “A Minute or Two” which will become part of our show in 2019.
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519 December 2018

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